A’Ibom  Releases N1bn to Augment FG Palliatives, N2bn for Gratuity

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has announced the release of N1 billion to augment the palliatives package received from the federal government.

He said the state government would commence the distribution of palliatives to residents of the state with effect from September 4, 2023.

Speaking with journalists in Uyo yesterday, the governor also said N2 billion has also been approved for the payment of gratuities to retired teachers in both the state and local government service.

He further affirmed his commitment to the execution of One Project Per Local Government Area Initiative.

Governor Eno said the gesture was for the state government to ameliorate the suffering of the people as a result of the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

Eno said with the state government’s augmentation, and the 3,000 bags of rice and N2 billion so far received from the federal government, the over 2,270 villages in the state should get at least 50 bags of rice each.

According to him, “We will give to the Hausa community, Yoruba community, Igbo community, Niger Delta community, all of the security services and all other people that may not be able to get to villages, they are not village people but they are also part of Akwa Ibom State.

“We have approved another line of gratuity to the teachers, we have approved to the local and state governments. The N2 billion is from the state coffers.

“We want to do one project per local government so as to help ensure that we provide jobs for our young people.

“These are the quick fix measures we are doing. Don’t forget this is a short, medium and long term packages.”

On the recent protest by a section of youths in the state, the governor cautioned the youths against being used to foment unrest in the state.

He warned that the state government has gathered intelligence on some persons trying to disrupt the peace in the state by inciting the youths to cause a breach of law and the peace enjoyed in the state, cautioning  the youths to be wary of such people.